Abstract: A system and method for automatically generating a query to a DICOM server are disclosed. The system comprises patient identification information encoded in a tangible medium. The system further comprises a reading device to read the encoded patient identification information from the tangible medium. The system also includes a computer-based platform hosting a medical software application. The computer-based platform operationally interfaces to the reading device to receive the read patient identification information from the reading device and to automatically generate a DICOM query, using the medical software application, such that the DICOM query includes at least a portion of the patient identification information. The system further comprises at least one DICOM server operationally interfacing to the computer-based platform to receive the DICOM query from the computer-based platform.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing at least one lottery player while protecting an identity of the at least one lottery player. The system includes a server platform of a third party organization that facilitates the method. The method includes receiving a client request at the server platform via a communications network. The method further includes the third party organization obtaining at least one lottery ticket in response to the client request, and securely holding the at least one lottery ticket for the at least one lottery player specified in the client request. The method also includes the third party organization determining a status of the at least one lottery ticket via the server platform and the communications network. The method further includes the third party organization transforming the at least one lottery ticket into a monetary amount if a status of the at least one lottery ticket is or changes to a winning status.

Abstract: A condiment packet having a spreading apparatus, and a method of use thereof. The condiment packet includes a substantially flat, sealed pouch containing a condiment. The condiment packet further includes a spreading apparatus being within the sealed pouch. The spreading apparatus may be used to spread the condiment over a food substance once the condiment is squeezed onto the food substance and once a portion of the spreading apparatus is exposed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and kits for automatically activating a garage door opener. A garage door opener system is supplemented with motion sensor technology or RFID technology to allow for automatic activation of a garage door opener. An automobile that is moving near or is proximate to a garage associated with at least one garage door opener can cause the garage door opener to be automatically activated to open or close a garage door that is operatively connected to the garage door opener.

Abstract: Devices and implements for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child at bedtime. A hand-held controller unit is provided having a user interface, which is capable of being used by the child under the bed covers of a bed. The hand-held controller unit may include any of a walkie-talkie capability, a flashlight capability, a nightlight capability, the capability to activate an external device, and other capabilities. At least one external device may be provided which is capable of being placed beneath the bed and is configured to be activated by the hand-held controller unit. At least one substantially hollow air-through member may be provided which is configured to facilitate airflow between underneath the bed covers of the bed and above the bed covers of the bed. A supplemental bed cover may be provided that is configured to be placed on the bed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and kits for automatically activating a garage door opener. A garage door opener system is supplemented with motion sensor technology or RFID technology to allow for automatic activation of a garage door opener. An automobile that is moving near or is proximate to a garage associated with at least one garage door opener can cause the garage door opener to be automatically activated to open or close a garage door that is operatively connected to the garage door opener.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for full-mouth intraoral image acquisition. An intraoral sensor configuration includes a multi-aperture digital camera and/or a conformal layered sensor structure, a bite piece, and an electronic cable for imaging inside surfaces of a mouth of a patient without having to re-position the digital camera and/or the conformal layered sensor structure within the mouth of the patient during an image acquisition session. Images may be acquired sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: Controllable electrical outlets and systems and methods for controlling and disabling the electrical outlets. A controllable electrical outlet includes a current sensor, an electrical switch, and a microcontroller. When an electrical load is plugged into the electrical outlet, the current sensor senses the flow of current and a current sense event is reported from the electrical outlet to a central computer. The central computer provides timing and control of the electrical outlet. When a predetermined elapsed time has passed, as measured by the central computer, a timed-out event is communicated from the central computer to the electrical outlet triggering the electrical switch, opening the current path within the electrical outlet such that electrical current no longer flows to the electrical load. Communication between the central computer and an electrical outlet may occur, for example, via existing electrical wiring, wirelessly, or via dedicated communication wiring.

Abstract: A system and method for providing notification about approaching transportation. A transportation notification application on a mobile communication device associated with a transportation vehicle is activated. An operator of the transportation vehicle selects a predefined route, having multiple transportation stops to be traversed by the transportation vehicle, from the transportation notification application on the mobile communication device. A current transportation stop of the selected route is then selected, again using the transportation notification application on the mobile communication device. The transportation notification application on the mobile communication device then automatically sends a transportation notification message, in response to the selecting of the current transportation stop, to a plurality of user communication devices of known users of the transportation vehicle who are associated with at least one subsequent transportation stop of the transportation vehicle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and kits for automatically activating a garage door opener. A garage door opener system is supplemented with motion sensor technology or RFID technology to allow for automatic activation of a garage door opener. An automobile that is moving near or is proximate to a garage associated with at least one garage door opener can cause the garage door opener to be automatically activated to open or close a garage door that is operatively connected to the garage door opener.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for automatically disabling an appliance. When a smoke detector/alarm is activated, a signal or message is sent to at least one safety device operatively coupled to at least one appliance. The appliance is disabled in response to receiving the signal or message. The systems, methods, and apparatus are based on the implicit assumption that, if a smoke detector/alarm is activated, the source of the smoke is likely due to a nearby appliance that is in use.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices providing single user-interface control of multiple computers and displays. Direct communication links to multiple computers are provided to automatically transmit peripheral computer device position and peripheral computer device commands to one of the multiple computers using, for example, a single computer mouse and/or a single computer keyboard device, based on a configuration map which maps mouse position to display position of the multiple computers and displays as the current mouse position is automatically tracked.

Abstract: System and methods for rendering interior surfaces of a 3D volumetric object to be viewed from an external viewpoint. Image data sets being representative of a 3D volumetric object are processed to render image surfaces of the 3D volumetric object. The rendered image surfaces are transformed to allow viewing of internal surfaces of the 3D volumetric object from the perspective of the external viewpoint. The transformations involve inverting at least one of a normal vector, a winding order, and a z-order of a plurality of polygon members making up the rendered image surfaces. The transformations may further involve modifying a transparency parameter of a subset of the plurality of polygon members.

Abstract: Methods of populating a document with digital information content. An information management software application is launched on a computer-based platform and a data drop window or a base format document is opened such that digital files, having digital data content, may be easily dragged and dropped (or pasted) into data holder locations of the data drop window or the base format document. A third-party document generation application is launched on the computer-based platform such that the third-party document generation application is able to communicate with the information management software application, for example, through an API, or the third-party document generation application is able to open and save the base format document, such that a third-party document, that is populated with the digital data content, may be automatically generated.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and physical computer-readable storage media for performing geometric data compression and geometric data decompression and/or geometric data encryption and geometric data decryption. A virtual geometric compression object is generated within a computer system by defining a plurality of discrete elements arranged in a geometric shape and assigning one or more data bit values to each of the plurality of discrete elements. The virtual geometric compression object is used by the computer system to compress sequences of uncompressed data bits into compression definitions. A compression definition defines a path through the virtual geometric compression object corresponding to a sequence of uncompressed data bits. In a reverse manner, for data decompression, at least a portion of a virtual geometric compression object is generated and a compression definition is used to extract a corresponding sequence of uncompressed data bits from the portion of the virtual geometric compression object.

Abstract: A universal image capture manager (UICM) for facilitating the acquisition of image data from a plurality of image source devices (ISDs) to an image utilizing software application (IUSA). The UICM is implemented on a computer processing device and includes a first software communication interface configured to facilitate data communication between the UICM and an IUSA. The UICM also includes a translator/mapper (T/M) software component being in operative communication with the first software communication interface and configured to translate and map an image request from an IUSA to at least one device driver (DD) software component of a plurality of DD software components. The UICM further includes a plurality of DD software components being in operative communication with the T/M software component. Each of the DD software components is configured to facilitate data communication with at least one ISD.

Abstract: A kit for capturing a first primary image and a second backup image from a single exposure. The kit may include a first imaging source and a second imaging source. The kit may further include an attachment mechanism for attaching the first imaging source to the second imaging source such that first imaging source and the second imaging source may be simultaneously exposed to capture a first primary image and a second backup image, respectively, of a same anatomy. The kit may further include a sterilization sheath to cover both the first imaging source and the second imaging source when the first imaging source and the second imaging source are attached and being used to capture images.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media to automatically tailor image parameter settings used in a dental X-ray imaging system. At least one dentition characteristic and at least one non-dentition characteristic are selected and used to automatically determine at least one X-ray exposure setting for a patient to be imaged. The at least one dentition characteristic, the at least one non-dentition characteristic, and the at least one X-ray exposure setting are used to automatically generate a set of image parameter settings capable of being applied to acquired X-ray image data, being representative of the dentition of the patient.

Abstract: A timed electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) and a method of operation thereof. The electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) includes a current sensor, a counter, and an electrical switch. When an electrical load is plugged into the electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus), the current sensor senses the flow of current and triggers the counter to start counting. When the counter is finished counting, the counter triggers the electrical switch, opening the current path within the electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) such that electrical current no longer flows to the electrical load.

Abstract: A devices and implements for staving off monsters, specters, demons and the like as imagined by a child at bedtime. A hand-held controller unit is provided having a user interface and which is capable of being used by the child under the bed covers of a bed. The hand-held controller unit may include any of a walkie-talkie capability, a flashlight capability, a nightlight capability, the capability to activate an external device, and other capabilities. At least one external device may be provided. The external device may be capable of being placed beneath the bed and is configured to be activated by the hand-held controller unit. At least one substantially hollow air-through member may be provided which is configured to facilitate airflow between underneath the bed covers of the bed and above the bed covers of the bed. A supplemental bed cover may be provided that is configured to be placed on the bed.